RESIDENTS in Poole are set to challenge the scrapping of a scheme banning cars from driving through Keyhole Bridge by way of a judicial review.
The initiative was introduced as part of the government-funded Active Travel programme under the former Unity Alliance.
The stated aim was to prioritise walking and cycling ahead of road traffic.
However, the plan was curtailed by the new Conservative-led BCP Council in March of this year.
At the time of announcing the intention to scrap the scheme, council leader Cllr Drew Mellor said: “We were openly critical of the previous administration’s actions in forcing many of these schemes through without taking into account the views of residents and local councillors.”
The campaigners to close the road claim its reopening means cars driving through to the detriment of other users, doubling the level of traffic through Poole Park in the first few weeks.
Additionally, said residents, three out of five councillors whose wards were affected by the scheme asked for the ban to stay in place.
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Keyhole Bridge Group was set up by residents to address the concerns.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The council tell us they have a green agenda but it’s impossible to see how they reconcile that with reopening the bridge.
“In fact, the whole decision-making procedure was deeply flawed and the only way to get that looked at is through a judicial review.
“It’s also very sad, because a lot of residents are now asking if there’s any point in responding to these consultations when this is the outcome.”
With the support of Richard Buxton Solicitors, the group has set up a crowdfunding page via Crowd Justice to raise funds towards the judicial process.
So far, almost £3,000 has been raised.
The amount need to fund a full judicial review is £15,000.
For more information or to donate, visit crowdjustice.com/case/keyhole-bridge
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